Sacraments

" An outward sign of an inward grace. "

Each sacrament consists of a visible external rite, which is composed of matter and form, the matter being the action, such as the pouring of water in baptism, and the form being the words spoken by the minister. Each sacramental rite confers a special ecclesial effect and sacramental grace. The sacraments occur at pivotal events and give meaning to a person's life.